This is a guest piece courtesy of Cindy (@ice_mutt on Twitter).

The sun shines down, memories of death fading…

I check my belt; two wands, one potion. 

Behind me, hills.

Ahead of me, a tall mountain, unsurpassable without falling into the gaping mouth of the cave. 

I enter a ruined mine. Monsters abound. I proceed with caution. 

Not cautious enough. I am seen, I stumble, I fall through a pool of oil. I attempt to flee and slide, I feel I am ahead, away from the monster.  But a lamplight falls, I ignite. 

The rain falls heavily, memories of death fading…

I check my belt; two wands, one potion.

I rush, I run, I float, I aim, I dodge. To the bottom. The bottom of the mine. This must be the way out.

A door, a place to rest. More wands? More spells? They require gold. I recall the gold on each of my adversaries deaths. 

But a gift, it does not require gold. I consider. I choose.

I move on. Another drop, I stand at the edge, but the rumbling of the earth causes me to drop. 

I find the ground, I try to orient myself. Shock, I explode. 

The ground feels warm, like a new spring. 

I check my belt; two wands, one potion.

I rush, cautiously. I aim my shots, I scoop the gold, and jump the magma. 

I reach the door. Gold jingling. 

A new spell. 

A new gift.

I continue. 

I rush, cautiously. I aim my shots, I scoop the gold, and dodge the toxic splatter.

I reach the door. Gold jingling. 

A new spell. 

A new gift.

I am careless… a simple misstep. I have been found by too many.

The night air feels cool, memories of death fading…

I check my belt; two wands, one potion. Did I make these? 

Behind me: a crate. Curious, I aim a spell. 

The crate explodes, enchanted fireworks abound, ground splintering and disintegrating everything in its wake. I slip on the edge of the newly formed crater and fall alongside it. 

I float myself away from the crate, but not quickly enough. 

The brilliant colors of a cursed explosive fire through me. 

The snow falls softly, memories of death fading…

I check my belt; two wands, one potion.